Ola Voyna

Joy again

This time featured in the Interior Design Magazine – Fall Market Tabloid.

Essential Marbella Magazine about 1001 Cushions Project

Thank you Marisa!

Making usual stones unusual – Part II

The necklaces made of the stones I showed in a previous post are finally ready. Now the wait is on for the completion of my designs to have a photo-session. Here are some ad-hoc shots I took in the meantime. I hope you enjoy the sneak preview!

Some new stones I found recently and going to change into jewellery.
My favourite striped flint and amber:

An interesting collection of tiger onyx:

Looking for details – Studio Part II

Something on the walls would be great. Not some overstated artwork, but also not one of these infantile and annoying pieces available on every corner in all shopping malls, saying ‘love, love, love’, ‘I love my coffee’, ‘ I love my doll’, and so on… I am a bit more than fifteen… When I felt like smashing the window of one of the shops selling that I thought it’s time to look elsewhere. I need to admit I like buying that crap – frames are often useful But if you give it to your boyfriend and he ‘loves’ it, believe me he is a great pretender! He either needs a dose of testosterone, or just likes an excuse to set cultural abominations on fire when I’m not looking for the catharsis

Here are my small amendments…

Sorry for the quality – it was done in twenty minutes… But seriously I need a few graphics that don’t kill brain cells – something that keeps my brain ticking over instead of cheesy, mind-numbing, vacuous clichés and hyperbole.

My working space – Studio Part I

I badly need a bigger place for work. My studio has become too small. The books, notebooks, drawings, hundreds of fabric samples and the odds and ends that designers inevitably accumulate over time have outgrown the place; commuting from one place to another, consulting with clients and suppliers – that’s most of my day. I need absolute silence to design, so I need an environment where I have absolute control. Home is the best place for that. Having a big room I only use a few times a year I decided to move there with all my stuff. Now I am starting to look for small things, details to make this place me-friendly.

Lampshades

My latest creations are two lampshades. One made of lampwork glass joined by pieces of amber, the other one is a mix of lampwork and metal. It gives amazing shade-light contrasts in the room. I will be adding them to my Accessories Collection. Every lampshade will be limited to 1-3 pieces.

Precious – the first of my lampshade collection. A mix of lampwork glass
and amber, giving unusual visual effects. Available sized to order, with a few colours to choose from. Limited edition.

Stardust – a connection of lampwork glass and metal. Also available sized to order with few colours to choose from. Limited edition.

Outside my house

When I moved from the city centre I used to sit with a cup of coffee on the balcony, fascinated with the view of the rising sun and wild animals running around. After 25 years in an apartment it was so unusual. Such views deserve something special.

Lunar was a perfect match. It has some magic power of attracting people. My balcony became a favourite place of my friends and visitors, just to sit and relax.

And here is an observation point for my dogs. They love sitting on the Calligraphy, watching the gate and barking for hours for no particular reason

Inside my house

Everything started with the gate. I had to replace the wooden front gate that was falling apart into something solid. I couldn’t find anything I liked, so I decided to design it by myself. I did the same with my furniture. I needed some furniture and I dreamt of unique pieces. I searched everywhere… I think it was then that I developed an aversion to plastic. It’s everywhere. I wouldn’t tolerate a plastic chair in my house if it was signed by Pablo Picasso I started drawing and couldn’t stop. I designed for myself and I started the whole collection you can see on my website.

Here are some examples of how my furniture has complemented the interiors of my house:

A prototype of Oyster, without the canopy.

Snail and Sunflower – filling the gap in my hall. A comfortable sofa to fight with uncomfortable shoes and a mirror to check make-up. What else can a woman need?

Root table, perfectly matching the orange walls.

Later, the inspirational book ‘The Gate‘ changed my life, and I turned into a South-East Asia freak who gave up the idea of a career in the profession I studied for to follow my dreams. Just a single word…

Design Magazine – South Africa

Here is the latest press featuring our Furniture Collection. It’s very comforting after my crap punching-bag is getting more and more popular… I am always happy to receive recognition from authoritative design publications so far from home.

To read more visit Design Magazine. Don’t miss the previous issue, the one with Nelson Mandela on the cover. The collections of African jewellery and fashion are just stunning!

Making usual stones unusual

For some time I have been looking for beautiful stones from all over the world. I want to highlight that beauty, surrounding it with the carefully shaped silver it deserves. I have a small collection waiting in a line.
Take a look at this agate:
      

Here is a piece of my as yet unfinished latest design composed of amber and wood. It will soon be available to view and order on my website.

I am determined to stay away from the clichéd diamond ring that women are told they should hanker after.

Diamonds are still not my friends…